Corner bed structure



coRNERz BED; summum mired@ new.. 27; 196m INVEN TOR.

55 52: Maw/Wd y CORNER BED STRUCTURE Sfreeftshsheeft 2i Oct. 15, 1963 E. A. KAMP CORNER BED STRUCTURE A Filed Dec. 27. l960` v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 *j INVENTOR.

wif/0 Oct. 15, 1963 E. A. KAMP 3,106,724,l

CORNER BED STRUCTURE.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Rild Dec. 27. 1960 BY l www

Oct. 15, 1963 E, A, KAMP 3,106,724

CORNER BED STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 27, 1960v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Ofice 31,106,724 Patented Oct. 15, 1963 3,106,724 CRNER BED STRUCTURE Ewald A. Kamp, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Englander Company, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 27, 196?, Ser. No. 78,530 4 Claims. (Cl. 5 8) The present invention relates to a novel furniture structure and more specifically to a novel corner bed ensemble.

A furniture assembly of the type contemplated herein is usually although not necessarily to be positioned in the corner of a room and includes at least one bed adapted t be pivoted between a position extending along one wall of the room and a position extending outwardly into the room. A second bed is frequently provided and is adapted to be pivoted between a position extending along a second wall of the room and a position extending out into the room. Furthermore, bolsters are usually provided so that the beds may be used as sofas, and means is usually provided for supporting the bolsters along the walls of the room and independently of the beds so that when the beds are swung outwardly from the wall, they are also swung outwardly away from the bolsters.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel furniture or bed ensemble of the above described type which may be conveniently and economically sold and shipped in a knocked down condition and then relatively easily assembled at the place of installation.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel bed assembly of theabove described type which is of relatively simple construction and which at the same time is constructed so as to obtain strength and rigidity.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel assembly ofthe above described type wherein a bed and bolster are connected with frame means, which frame means is constructed so that nothing need be anchored to the iloor or Wall and so that the bed may be moved back and forth sufficiently to clear all of the Hoor area that may be covered by the bed for permitting cleaning of the floor.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a corner bed ensemble incorporating features of the present invention, the beds of the ensemble being in retracted positions;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. l, but shows one of the beds in open position and one of the bolsters in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a plan View of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of a frame structure of the assembly;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 5 5 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View partially broken away for showing portions of the structure in greater detail and for showing the manner in which one of the beds may be swung from its retracted position into parallel relationship with the other bed;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary partial sectional view taken generally along line 7 7 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but shows certain of the parts in open positions;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary partial sectional view taken generally along line 9 9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective View of elements of the structure shown in FIG. 1l;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 11 1\1 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cover or .top assembly for 'a portion of the structure;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective View of one of the bed units included in the assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken generally along line 15 15 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 16-16 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 17 .is 4a fragmentary perspective view showing latch means utilized in the assembly of the present invention in greater detail; `and FIG. 18 is an enlarged partial sectional View showing means for releasably retaining a bed -unit in its retracted position.

Referring now more specifically 'to fthe drawings wherein like parts are designated by the sanne numerals throughout the various figures, a corner bed assembly 20 incorporating features of the present invention is shown in its entirety in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The assembly comprises first and second bed units 22 and 24 which lare respectively pivoted in a marmer described in detail below to an intermediate portion of a rigid self-supporting frame structure 26. Side panels 28 and 30' :are provided for closing sides of an intermediate portion of the fname structure 26 and thereby improving the appearance thereof 'and a top or cover assembly 32 may .be provided over the intermediate portion of the frame structure.

The intermediate portion of the frame structure or in other words, .the generally rectangular portion of the frame structure between the beds is generally designated by the numeral 34 `in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. As shown in these =figures,the frame structure falso includes side portions 36 'and 38 extending from the intermediate portion and adapted to be positioned along the walls of a room. 'The side portions 36 `and 38 of the frame structure are adapted to support compartments or boxes 40 and 42 respectively which are provided for the purpose of lstoring pillows, Iblankets and the like. Bolster cushions 44 and 46 are respectively pivotally connected by lmeans of suitable hinges to top panels 48 and 50 .of the compartments 40 yand 42. The bolsters :are Aadapted to serve as a backrest shown in FIGS. l and 2. |The bolsters :are further adapted to be raised as shown at the right-hand side of FIG. 2 in order to open the pillow boxes or compartments.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 the frame structure 26 comprises a first pair of elongated upper and lower channel members I52 and 54 and identical upper and lower channel members 56 and 58. The channel members 52 and 54 provide the side portion 36 of lthe frame structure and also one side of the intermediate :or generally rectangular portion 34 of the frame structure. The channel members 56 and 58 similarly provide the side portion 38 of the frame structure and a part of the intermediate portion 34. Vertical frame members 60 and 62 respectively extend between outer ends and intermediate portions of the channel members -56 and 58 and are welded or :otherwise secured thereto. The sid-e por- 'tion 36 of the frame structure includes vertical frame members, not shown, identical to the members 60 and 62 extending between and welded or otherwise secured to the channel members 52 and 54.

The intermediate or generally rectangular portion 34 of the frame structure includes vertical channel members 64 and I66 simil-ar in size and cross-section to but slightly smaller than the yhorizontally extending channel lmembers 52, 54 and 56, 5S. The vertical channel member 64 extends between the horizontal channel members '52 and 54 at a location spaced :outwardly from inner ends of the horizont-al channel members a distance similar to the width of the bed units 22 and 24. The `vertical channel member 66 is similarly located between the horizontal channel members 56 and 58. It will be Inoted that the pairs of upper and lower generally horizontally extending channel members have a substantially U-shaped configuration. rThe lower channel members `54 and 58 are disposed so that their broad sides face tdownwardly and so that their iianges extend upwardly while the upper horizontal channel members 52 and 56 are oppositely disposed or in other words, the upper channel members are disposed so that their flanges extend downwardly. The channel members 64 and 66 extend between the anges of their associated horizontal channel members and are `welded or otherwise secured to the flanges.

A vertical angle iron 68 extends between the inner ends of both pairs of horizontal channel members 52, 54 and 56, 58 and is secured to the side flanges of these channel members. The angle iron 68 may be removably secured to the channel members by suitable bolts or screws or, if desired, it may be permanently secured to the channel members by welding. Vertically disposed spacing members 70, 72 and 74 are welded or otherwise secured to the upper sides of the upper channel members 52 and 56 for a purpose described hereinbelow.

The intermediate portion of the frame structure also includes angle irons 76 and 78 respectively extending horizontally inwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the lower channel members 54 and `58. Adjacent ends of the angle irons 76 and 78 are welded together and opposite ends of these angle irons may be detachably connected with the upstanding channel members 64 and 66 respectively by suitable means such as bolts or screws if desired, yor alternatively, the angle irons may be permanently secured to the upstanding channel members 64 and 66 by suitable means, such as welding. Diagonal braces 30 and 82 extend between the angle irons 76 and 78 and upper portions of the channel members 64 and 66 respectively for strengthening and rgidifying the structure. The diagonal braces may also be detachably secured in position by means of screws or bolts, or permanently secured by suitable means such as welding. A plate member 84 is welded or otherwise secured to the upper sides of the adjacent ends of the angle irons 76 and 78 and projects outwardly therefrom, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7-9 and 12.

It will be appreciated that the frame structure described above is of simple construction and may be readily assembled and yet is relatively strong and rigid. It is particularly to be noted that the frame structure is quite rigid, even though it is of simple and light weight construction. For example, in the event of the application of a laterally directed force to an outer end portion of the side 38 `of the frame structure, the elongated horizontal members 56 and 58 of the side frame portion 38 tend to pivot around the upstanding member 66. Such pivotal movement is restrained by the corner post 68 and the vertical rigidity of the member 66. The member 66 is in turn restrained by the members 78 and 82. Of course. the side portion 36 is similarly restrained against pivotal movement. The structure is such that any force tending to dellect either the side frame portion 36 or the side frame portion 38 laterally `is transmitted to the frame members and is concentrated at the corner plate member 84. Thus, any tendency for either the frame side portion 36 or the side portion 38 to swing inwardly tends to press the corner member 84 downwardly toward the tloor, which downward movement is positively and rigidly precluded by engagement of a foot member or glide 8S against the oor. As shown best in .FIG. 9, the foot member 85 is suitably secured to the frame structure at the junction between the frame members 76 and 78.

Any tendency `for the side frame portions 36 and 38 of the frame structure to swing laterally outwardly causes forces to be transmitted to the frame members in a manner which tends to raise the corner plate member 84. However, the corner plate member 84 is positively held down by connecting the bed units thereto in a manner described in detail below, so that weight of the bed units rests on the corner plate member.

In order to cover the intermediate or generally rectangular portion of the frame structure and thereby irnprove the appearance of the assembly, the above mentioned side panels 28 and 30 and the top or cover unit 32 are provided. Furthermore, the side panels are pivotally supported for a purpose to be set forth below. More specifically, the top or cover unit 32 is removably disposed on -the vertical spacing members 70, 72 and 74 of the frame structure. Pins 86, 88 and 90 are fixed to the under side of the cover unit 32 and extend downwardly for entry into apertures 92, 94 and 96 respectively in the members 70, 72 and 74 for positively locating the cover or top unit on the frame structure.

The cover tor top unit 32 includes a plate member 98 secured to its under side adjacent an outer corner thereof as shown in FIGS. 10, l1 `and 13, to which plate member a depending short rectangular block 109 is secured by means of a screw 102. An upstanding leg 104 is secured to the block and extends to the floor at a location outwardly of the angle irons 76 and 7 8 of the frame structure for supporting the outer corner of the cover or top unit 32.

In order to pivotally support the side panels 28 and 31), a bracket 106 is secured to a lower end portion of the leg 104, which bracket is provided with apertures 108 and 110 for receiving pins secured to and depending from lower margins of the side panels 28 and 30. One such pin 112 is shown depending from the side panel 30 in FIG. 12 and it is to be understood that the side panel 28 is provided with a pin identical to the pin 112 although the pin on the side panel 28 does not show in the drawings. Similar pins are disposed for extending from upper margins of the side panels 28 and 30 for entering into bushings 114 and 116 mounted in suitable apertures in the plate member 9S. Reference is made to FIGS. 10 and 1l for a showing of an upstanding pin 118 associated with the side panel 38 for entry into the bushing 116 and it is to be understood that an identical pin, not shown, is provided on the side panel 28. Stop elements or blocks 128 and 122 are secured to the under side of the cover or top unit 32 and additional stop elements 124 and 126 are secured to the angle irons 76 and 78 for positively locating the side panels 28 and 3G in closed positions. If desired, the lower end of the leg member 164 may bc steadied by extending the bracket 106 over the adjacent ends of the angle irons 76 and 78 and providing a pin 128 depending from the bracket and extending into aligned apertures 132 and 134 in the plate member 84 and the adjacent ends of the angle irons.

The bed units 22 and 24 are substantially identical but oppositely disposed. As shown in FIG. 14, the bed unit 24 comprises a generally rectangular horizontal frame including longitudinally extending frame members 136 and 138 and transverse or end frame members 140 and 142. Elongated rollers 144, 146, 148 and 150 are secured to the under side of the bed in a known manner which need not be described in detail so that the bed unit may be swung or rolled to and from open and closed positions. Of course, the bed unit 22 includes an essentially identical rectangular frame and identical rollers. In FIG. 15 a portion of the bed unit 22 is shown including a transverse frame member 152 which corresponds to the transverse frame member of the bed unit 24. The bed units 22 and 24 respectively include box springs 154 and 156 and mattresses 158 and 160.

The bed units 22 and 24 are pivotally connected to the intermediate portion 34 of the frame structure 26 so that they may be rolled to and from retracted and opened positions in a controlled manner. Thus, brackets 162 and 164 are respectively secured to the transverse frame members 152 and 14% of the bed units 22 and 24 as shown in FIGS. 68 and 12 and 14. As shown in the drawings, these brackets extend not only laterally of the transverse end frame members of the bed u-nits b-ut also include finger portions 166 and 168 respectively which project transversely and laterally outwardly of side frame members of the bed units 'for overlying an end of the plate member 84. A pivot pin 17) is secured to the plate member 84 of the frame structure 26, which pin enters aligned apertures 172 and 174 in the finger portions of the brackets 162 and 164.

When the bed units are in their retracted positions and the holsters 44 and 46 are in their closed or lowered positions, as shown in IFIGS. l and 3, the side panels 28 and 30 are, of course, retained in their closed or retracted positions. Spring means is provided for biasing the panels 2S and 3i) outwardly when the beds are opened so as to locate a decorative panel at a position behind the inner end of the opened beds. This spring means is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 and comprises an elongated coiled spring 176 which is arcuately disposed between back sides of the panels 2S and 30 and has its opposite ends connected with fittings 17,8 and 181i respectively. These fittings are in turn pivotally connected to brackets 182 and 184 secured to the backs of the panels 23 and 30. The construction is such that when one of the bed units is rolled outwardly to an open position, as shown in FIG. 2, the spring 176 biases the adjacent decorative panel so that it tends to follow the bed. However, t-he panel is restrained by the adjacent bolster since, as shown best in FIG. 3, the decorative panels overlap the ends of the adjacent bolster cushions. However, when the bolster is raised, as shown in FIG. 2, the decorative panel is released and the spring 176 urges it to a position behind the opened bed. While only the bed unit 24 is shown in an opened position in IFIG. 2 and also in FIG. 6, it is to be understood that the bed unit 22 may also be rolled to an open position and the decorative panel 28 may be swung to a location behind the opened bed unit 22, if desired.

In order releasably to retain the panels 28 and 39 in opened positions such as the opened positions of the panel 30 shown in FIGS. 2, y6 and 8, latch means 186 and 188 are respectively associated with the frames of the bed units 22 and 24 as shown in lFIGS. 6 and 14-17. Since these latch means are identical, the same reference numerals have been applied to corresponding elements. Thus, each of .the latch means comprises an elongated strap or latch member 190 having an upstanding inner end portion 192 which is curved and partially hooked around a pivot pin 194. The pivot pin or shaft 194 is in turn supported by brackets 196 and 198 secured to the transverse end fram-e member of the associated bed unit. A torsion spring 260 is wrapped around the shaft 194 and is provided with one end portion 262 underlying the latch member 190 and an opposite end portion 204 disposed for engagement 4with a frame member of the bed unit. The torsion spring is constructed so that it tends to bias or -rotate the latch member 190 in an counter clock-wise direction as viewed in FIGS. 14-17 or, in other words, in a direction so .that the outer end of the latch member is raised. An inne-1 terminal end section 206 of the latch member is adapted to engage the frame of the bed for limiting such pivotal movement as shown best in FIG. 16.

The latch member 19) is provided with an upstanding abutment section 203 at a location spaced substantially outwardly from the bed frame This section merges with a downwardly inclined cam section 210. As shown in FIGS. 6 and y16, the abutment section 298 is adapted to engage behind the panel for retaining the panel. The cam section 210 is adapted to be engaged by the panel as shown in broken lines in FIG. 16 `during swinging movement of the panel from its closed position toward the open position -for shifting the latch member downwardly to permit the lower edge of the panel to pass over the abutment section 2618. 4In addition, the cam section 210 s adapted to engage one of the frame members 76 or 78, as shown in fFIG. 15, when the associated bed unit is in the closed position, for lowering the latch member suiciently to disengage it from the associated panel and thereby permit subsequent reopening of the bed unit without interference from the panel.

Each of the latch means also includes a plunger 212 having an enlarged head 214 of rubber or other suitable relatively soft material at its outer end vfor engagement with a lower marginal portion of an adjacent decorative panel. A compression spring 216 -is provided for resiliently biasing the pluinger outwardly and a suitable washer or abutment element 218 is fixed on an inner end of the plunger for limiting outward movement of the plunger. The nesiliently biased plunger is adapted to serve as a shock absorber for stopping the decorative panel when the panel swings outwardly from its closed position to its open position and in addition, the resilently biased plunger 212 is adapted to hold an associated decorative panel firmly against the abutment section 20S of an adjacent latch member when the panel is in an open position or against an adjacent stop member as shown in FIG. l5, when the panel and the bed are in closed positions.

Means is provided for releasably retaining each of the bed units 22 and 24 in their respective closed or retracted positions show-n in FIGS. l and 3. As shown in IFIGS. 2, 4 and 18 this means for the bed unit 24 comprises a roller 220 carried by a bracket 222 depending from the frame of the bed unit 24. In addition, a plate member 224 is welded or otherwise secured to the frame member 58, which plate member is provided with an aperture 226 aligned with and adapted partially to receive the roller 220 when the bed unit is in its retracted or closed position. An outer margin 228 of the plate member 224 is preferably curved downwardly to provide a cam surface on which the roller 220 may easily ride as the bed unit is being moved from its opened position toward the closed position. It is to be understood that identical means, not shown, is provided for releasably retaining the bed unit 22 in its closed position. In other words, a roller identical to the roller 220 is secured to a bracket depending from the frame of the bed unit 22 for engagement with a plate member essentially identical to the plate member 224 secured to the plate member 54.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many stnuctural details may be changed, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

l. An assembly of the type described comprising a selfsupporting frame structure including a generally rectangular portion, and a side portion extending from said generally rectangular portion, said side portion being elongated in a predetermined direction and being narrow in a transversely extending direction, said side p0rtion being substantially free of any elements projecting substantially laterally therefrom so as to leave maximum tloor area unencumbered by said side portion, a bed unit pivotally connected to said generally rectangular portion for movement between a retracted position adjacent said side portion and an opened position, said generally rectangular `frame structure portion comprising lirst, second and third substantially vertically disposed frame members arranged at rst, second and third comers of said generally rectangular portion, lirst and second oppositely facing .fupper and lower channel members extending between and connected to upper and lower ends respectively of said second and third vertical members,

third and fourth generally horizontally extending and oppositely facing upper and lower channel members extending between and connected to upper and lower ends respectively of said second and first vertical members, a pair of additional generally horizontally disposed frame members respectively extending from and xed with respect to lower portions of said first and third vertical members and being interconnected at a fourth corner of said ygenerally rectangular frame portion, and said side portion of said `frame structure including first and second -upper and lower oppositely facing channel members respectively provided by continuations of said first and second channel members of said rectangular portion, a plurality of additional upstanding members extending between and secured to said channel members of the side portions, and means pivotally connecting said bed unit to said fourth corner of said rectangular frame portion.

2. An assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said generally rectangular frame portion comprises diagonally extending frame members respectively having iirst ends connected to upper end portions of said first and third vertical members and second ends connected to said additional horizontally disposed frame members at locations oifset from said first and third vertical members in directions toward said fourth corner.

3. An assembly, as defined in claim 1, which includes a table structure having generally horizontally disposed top means detachably supported above said first, second and third vertical members, said table means including a leg depending `from said top means adjacent to and outside of said fourth corner of said rectangular frame portion, a horizontally disposed bracket member fixed to and extending from a lower end portion of said leg means, a headboard for said bed tunit having an edge disposed between said bracket member and said top means, and aligned aperture and pin means between said bracket member, said top means and said headboard for pivotally supporting said headboard between said bracket member and said top means.

4. An assembly, as defined in claim 3, which includes means detachably connecting said bracket member with said fourth corner of said rectangular frame portion for resisting lateral movement of the lower end portion of said leg member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 956,933 Burns May 3, 1910 1,592,109 Jacobs July 13, 1926 2,416,950 Pohrman Mar. 4, 1947 2,602,937 -Frey July 15, 1952 2,672,624 Giusei Mar. 23, 1954 2,783,480 Shankman Mar. 5, 1957 2,806,228 Ziegenfuss Sept. 17, 1957 2,815,130 Franks Dec. 3, 1957 2,904,796 Frey Sept. 22, 1959 2,943,333 Bleeker et al. July 5, 1960 2,987,733 Gregory et al. June 13, 1961 2,997,723 `Nicassio Aug. 29, 1961 3,015,112 Wachsman Jan. 2, 1962 3,058,123 Pink et al. Oct. 16, 1962 

1. AN ASSEMBLY OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING A SELFSUPPORTING FRAME STRUCTURE INCLUDING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PORTION, AND A SIDE PORTION EXTENDING FROM SAID GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PORTION, SAID SIDE PORTION BEING ELONGATED IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION AND BEING NARROW IN A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING DIRECTION, SAID SIDE PORTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FREE OF ANY ELEMENTS PROJECTING SUBSTANTIALLY LATERALLY THEREFROM SO AS TO LEAVE MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA UNENCUMBERED BY SAID SIDE PORTION, A BED UNIT PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PORTION FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION ADJACENT SAID SIDE PORTION AND AN OPENED POSITION, SAID GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FRAME STRUCTURE PORTION COMPRISING FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED FRAME MEMBERS ARRANGED AT FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD CORNERS OF SAID GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PORTION, FIRST AND SECOND OPPOSITELY FACING UPPER AND LOWER CHANNEL MEMBERS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO UPPER AND LOWER ENDS RESPECTIVELY OF SAID SECOND AND THIRD VERTICAL MEMBERS, THIRD AND FOURTH GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING AND OPPOSITELY FACING UPPER AND LOWER CHANNEL MEMBERS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO UPPER AND LOWER ENDS RESPECTIVELY OF SAID SECOND AND FIRST VERTICAL MEMBERS, A PAIR OF ADDITIONAL GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED FRAME MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY EXTENDING FROM AND FIXED WITH RESPECT TO LOWER PORTIONS OF SAID FIRST AND THIRD VERTICAL MEMBERS AND BEING INTERCONNECTED AT A FOURTH CORNER OF SAID GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FRAME PORTION, AND SAID SIDE PORTION OF SAID FRAME STRUCTURE INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND UPPER AND LOWER OPPOSITELY FACING CHANNEL MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY PROVIDED BY CONTINUATIONS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CHANNEL MEMBERS OF SAID RECTANGULAR PORTION, A PLURALITY OF ADDITIONAL UPSTANDING MEMBERS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND SECURED TO SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS OF THE SIDE PORTIONS, AND MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID BED UNIT TO SAID FOURTH CORNER OF SAID RECTANGULAR FRAME PORTION. 